Ms. Elizabeth Breen is one of two new teachers in the science department this school year. A former Cherry Hill East High School teacher, Breen begins her first year as a Pirate and 15th year overall. She currently teaches three ACC chemistry classes and two Honors chemistry classes at Cinnaminson High School.

In changing districts, Breen said she heard a lot of good things about Cinnaminson. Looking for something new, Breen said she decided to apply to Cinnaminson. 

“I was in my old school for a long time and it was a big school,” Breen said of Cherry Hill East. “I was looking for a change and a new opportunity… [I] wanted more of a smaller school, and overall [was] just looking for a change and better environment to move forward with.” 

Having grown up in Sicklerville, New Jersey, she graduated from Winslow Township High School and then attended The College of New Jersey for her undergraduate degree as a chemistry major. She ultimately went on to earn her master’s degree in art and teaching in order to become a teacher.

Breen acknowledged that she did not always want to be a teacher. She said she decided to teach very late in her college career because she wasn’t sure what she wanted to do with her chemistry degree. Having enjoyed her time in high school, Breen said she decided to go back and become a teacher during her senior year of college. 

“When I was in college I was a chemistry major, and I didn’t know what I wanted to do with it,” Breen explained. “[I] thought about medical school, thought about being a genetic counselor, so ultimately I was thinking about what I could do with my chemistry degree… and I just loved the high school atmosphere when I was in high school. I played soccer and lacrosse, I was in student government so being a teacher would let me go back to school and do the things I loved.” 

According to Breen, she said she enjoys teaching older students having taught almost every grade and all levels of high school before.

Breen’s transition to Cinnaminson High School from Cherry Hill East has been a positive one. Although she has a different schedule now, Breen pointed out the benefits of changing districts, including Cinnaminson being a smaller school, which means she can get around the hallways faster and it’s easier to know more kids and know them well.

Breen said she enjoys knowing she will get to teach almost every student at some point in their high school years.

“I think it is important to form positive relationships with your students because it is easy to just focus on the information you are teaching, but if you don’t know what is going on in your students’ lives then they could be easily going through something that you have no idea about, so it is hard to do that with 150 students but I try to make connections and try to take into account what kids are going through daily and try to be open-minded, flexible, and as approachable as possible,” Breen said of her teaching philosophy. 

Outside of school, Breen said she enjoys time with her family and friends. She also likes traveling, going to the gym, and running. In the past, she has volunteered in South America and Central America with less privileged children. Most recently, she visited Croatia.

Breen said her goals for this school year are to get to know Cinnaminson students more personally and adjust to a nine-period schedule. While it is an adjustment, she said she likes the nine-period schedule because it is easier to pick up class every day and she gets to see her students every day.

“The biggest challenge here for me is adjusting to 41-minute classes coming from having a minimum class of 57 minutes and most days having an 87-minute class,” Breen said. 

As a new Pirate, Breen looks forward to getting to know the CHS community more and hopefully instilling a love of learning in her students. 

“I would say a Pirate has incredible school spirit, is respectful, is trying their best at all times. They have a sense of pride in their community, and overall [is an] awesome kid.”